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Oct. 8, 1929. J. w. BRYCE 1,730,448

PNEUMATIC CLOCK SYSTEM Filed June 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l 0 m1 W un im27 O \fi 19 REF.

awuentoz W ji MW- Oct. 8, 1929. J. w. BRYCE PNEUMATIC CLOCK SYSTEM FiledJune 25, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l5 M\N SLOW Oct. 8, 1929. J. w. BRYCE1,730,448

PNEUMATIC CLOCK SYSTEM 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed June 25, 1925 \5 Mm FASTON TME Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UITED STATES meat-P PATENT OFFICE JAMES \V.BRYCE, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL TIMERECORDING COMPANY OF NEW YORK, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK PNEUMATIC CLOCK SYSTEM Application filed June 25,

or brought to substantially perfect synchronism with the master clockfrom any condition of asynchronisrn within limits; whether they beinitially out of step with the master clock or brought so by accident ordesign.

Other objects reside in the production of 'a master clock that willactuate pneumatic bellows to distribute energyrto various secondaryclocks by means of. fluid pressure or displacementand to control therecurrence of pressure waves in fluid so as to cause rapid advance ofany secondary clock which may be behind time. I

Another object resides in the production of a secondary clock which willreceive the actuating energy in the form of fluid pressure ordisplacement and, by its operation and determined by its state ofsynchronism or asynchronism, control its own actuation. Provision ismade for receiving impulses, by which term I shall refer hereinafter tothe actuating energy conveyed in the form of fluid pressure ordisplacement, that will actuate the secondary clock step-by-step inconformity with the time indication of the mas- .cr clock, and preventthe receipt of said impulses at a predetermined time whenever thesecondary clock is fast and its hands reach the predetermined timeindication prior to the actual time as maintained by the master clock.

The above stated objects may be accomplished in various mannersinvolving different -lme relations for the synchronizing period, as forexample allowing a period for accelerating the advance of secondaryclocks of greater or lesser duration depending upon the choice of theuser.

Other objects involving novel constructions and combinations of partswill appear in the specification and in the claims thereof set- 1925.Serial No. 39,551.

ting forth a preferred embodiment of my invention which will be fullyunderstood from the detailed description and drawings, in which Fig. 1is a front elevational View of the controlling and driving mechanisms inthe master clock;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the controlling mechanism in asecondary clock;

Fig. 3 is a detail of the valve and bellows ot the master clock;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the valve of a secondary clock; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of the system with a master clock indriving relation to three secondary clocks.

For the purpose of clarity in understanding I have illustrated myinvention in the most convenient timing relations, and briefly stated,it consists of sending a series of normal impulses from a master clockto a secondary clock over either one of two conduits. At forty-fourminutes after the hour the master clock shuts off one of these conduitsand continues to send the regular normal impulses over the other. Justafter the fifty-ninth minute a series of quick or accelerating impulsesare sent to the secondary clock. All of the above described distributionof impulses from the master clock is controlled by the master clock andthe utiliza tion of these impulses by a secondary clock is under thecontrol of the secondary clock itself. If the secondary clock indicatesthe same hour as the master clock at all times each of the normalimpulses distributed by the master clock will be effective to step thesecondary clock along with the master clock and the series ofaccelerating impulses during the last minute will not be operative toproduce any effect in the operation of the secondary clock.

If the secondary clock is slow, the accelerating impulses will reach thesecondary clock and thereby advance it to the hour point the amountwhich it was slow. The impulse sent out on the hour will then cause thesecondary clock to be stepped along in synchronism with the master clockand each succeeding normal impulse will have the effect of keeping thedriven clock at the same time indication as the driving clock.

Master clock The master clock in its general details may be of anyapproved construction including the usual time train adapted to drivethe minute hand arbor 10 which makes one revolution per hour. Only somuch of the old and well known structure is illustrated as is necessaryto fully understand and construct the present subject matter ofinvention.

Cam discs 11 and 12 are mounted on shaft 10. In the present embodimentof the invention the periphery of cam disc 11 has notches therein placedat minute intervals from and including the sixtieth minute to andincluding the forty-fourth minute period. The periphery of cam disc 12has notches therein placed at minute intervals from and including thesixtieth minute to and including the fifty-ninth minute with thefifty-ninth and sixtieth minute interval notches merged into one largenotch. Cam disc 11 controls the position of lever 13 and cam disc 12controls the position of lever 14.

The right end of lever 13 contacts with the lower end of valve stem 15,Fig. 3, of valve 16. A spring 17 coiled around the valve stem tends tokeep valve 16 away from its seat and the left end of lever 13 in contactwith the periphery of disk 11. The right hand end of lever 14 contactswith the lower end of valve stem 18 of valve 19. Spring 20 coiled aroundthe valvestem tends to keep valve 19 closed and the left end of lever 14in contact with the periphery of disk 12.

In the preferred embodiment, valves 16 and 19 are mounted in the samevalve box and they are effectual to control the distribution of fluidpressure and displacement from bellows 21 which is opened and closedfour times a minute by means of gear 22, fast to arbor 23 which makesone revolution per minute. Pinion 24 is driven by gear 22 and itactuates link 25 to oscillate bell crank lever 26 which is connected tobellows 21 by link 27.

The lower end of bellows 21 is connected to valve box 28 having achamber 29 which permits of continuous communication with conduit A.Valve 16 controls the connection of conduit B with chamber 29 and thebellows and valve 19 is a relief valve which opens to the atmosphere.

Conduits A and B are the conduits which control the effect of the fluidpressure and displacement to the secondary clocks (Fig. 5), and disk 11is designed to position lever 13 so as to maintain valve 16 closedduring the synchronizing period and thus close ofi conduit B. y

In the present embodiment, I provide for a synchronizing periodcommencing just after the minute hand of the master clock is fortyfourminutes after the hour-and terminating just priorto the siXtieth minute.

In the operation of the master clock, for each minute from the sixtiethminute to the forty-fourth minute inclusive, valve 16 will be unseatedand valve 19 will be seated for the first quarter of a minute and thentheir respective positions will be reversed for the remainingthree-quarters of the minute. This timing permits the effect of a singleopening and closing movement of'bellows 21 to be transmitted to thesecondary clocks through either of conduits A or B during the firstquarter of a minute. The remaining three complete movements of thebellows are nonettective since valve 19 is opened to the atmosphere.

Valve 16 closes conduit B off entirely for a period from just after theforty-fourth minute to just prior to the sixtieth minute and for eachminute from the forty-fifth to the fifty-ninth inclusive, valve 19 willcontinue to be seated during the first quarter of each minute, and theefiect of a single opening and closing of bellows 21 per minute will betransmittible over conduit A. This single opening and closing of thebellows comprises the energy initiating function which results inrecurring pressure waves herein called impulses.

As is apparent from an observation of Fig. 1, valve 19 will remainseated for the fiftyninth and sixtieth minute impulses and for all ofthe impulses in between so that thesecondary clocks will be furnishedwith a series of fast or accelerating impulses to advance those whichare slow in a manner to be described hereinafter. F or the sixtiethminute and thereafter the master clock will repeat the series ofoperations just described.

Secondary clock The secondary clock shown in Fig. 2 is designed to bedriven by the master clock, and to utilize the impulses sent out by themaster clock to keep itself synchronized.

The A and B conduits each have branches which lead into chambers 49 and50 respectively of valve case 51 and a duplex valve 52 is provided forshutting off either one of these chambers from communication withbellows 53 of the secondary clock. The lower end of the bellows isconnected to the valve case, and the upper end is pivotally connected bypin 54 to arm 55 journaled on stud 56. Directly above arm 55, an arm isjournaled on stud 31 and this arm is pivotally connected by pin 32 toframe 33 which is also connected to arm 55 by means of pin 54. Frame 33carries a pawl 34 which cooperates with the teeth on escapement wheel toadvance it half a tooth. Nose 36 on arm serves to lock the escapementwheel in its changed po sition. When bellows 53 collapses, pawl 37operates to advance the escapement wheel another half a tooth and nose38 on arm 30 enters between the next pair of teeth at the completion ofthe movement and locks the escapement wheel from further rotation. Theescapement wheel is secured to the minute hand arbor 39 which makes onerevolution per hour. The usual transmission gearing is provided toactuate the hour hand from this arbor.

A cam disk 40 turns with the minute hand arbor and it controls theposition of duplex valve 52. Bell crank lever 41 is pivotally mounted onpin 42 and carries roller &3 which engages the periphery of cam disk 10.Just after the secondary clock has been advanced to the fifty-ninthminute, bell crank 41 will be drawn off the high portion 14 of cam disk40 by spring 45 and stud 46 will contactwith arm 47 and swing itclockwise about pin to cause duplex valve 52 to be moved to extreme leftposition to shut oil" chamber 49 from communication with bellows 53.

Sometime before the synchronizing period starts, as for example, atabout thirty minutes past the hour, bell crank 41 will be moved to theleft by slope 48 and arm -17 will be drawn counterclockwise by spring49, thus causing the duplex valve to shut out chamber 50 and throwconduit A into communication with bellows 53, Fig. 4. The snap actionprovided by bell-crank 41 and arm =17 allows for rapid and accurateoperation of the valve without having any intermediate position.

Operation The first operation to be described will be the normal minuteimpulse o eration for controlling the secondary clocks. For clarity, itwill be assumed that all of the clocks are at a position somewherebetween the hour reading and forty-four minutes later. During thisperiod of time, there is a notch in each disk 11 and 12 for each minuteand when the left ends of levers 13 and 14 enter these notches animpulse consisting of a single opening and closing of bellows 21 will betransmitted over either conduit A or conduit B to operate bellows 53.The choice of conduits depends upon the position of valve 52 in each ofthe secondary clocks. The remaining three impulses of a single minuteare dissipated into the atmosphere when valve 19 is opened by the effectof having lever 14 ride upon the peripheral edge of disk 12. Thus, eachminute one of the four impulses from the master clock will serve toadvance the secondary clocks one step.

During the synchronizing period which starts just after the forty-fourthminute, lever 13 will ride continuously upon the peripheral edge of disk11 and valve 15 will remain closed thereby shutting off conduit B as anactive transmitting conduit. The minute impulses will continue to besent out over the A conduit to all secondary clocks \Vhen a clock isfast it will shut itself off from the impulses at the fifty-ninth minuteposition by the closing off of conduit A by the duplex valve. Thisaction throws in conduit B but conduit B is shut off by valve 16 at themaster clock and no impulses can reach the stopped secondary clock untilthe sixtieth minute impulse is sent out over conduit B.

The clocks that are slow will continue to operate step-by-step andbetween the fiftyninth and sixtieth minute impulses they each willreceive a series of fast or accelerating impulses from the master clockwhich will step them ahead rapidly. This result is produced by acomplete closing of valve 19 during this minute thereby making all ofthe movements of bellows 21 effective. When a slow clock has beenadvanced to the fiftyninth minute position, Fig. 4, it will stop, andthen all of the secondary clocks will step out together on the sixtiethminute.

It will be understood that if in any case it is required to correct thetime of the entire system, as for example when the master clock isrunning fast or slow, and this correction is to be within the rangepermitted by the synchronizing period, it is only necessary to reset thehands of the master clock to the de sired extent. The secondaries willthen set themselves beginning with the next synchronizing period. If theamount is in excess of the synchronizing period for which the system isdesigned, for example when a daylight saving correction is required, itwould be necessary to slide lever 14 on its pivot out of the plane ofdisk 12 and thereby cause valve 19 to remain seated until the secondaryclocks had been advanced the desired amount. It is probable that someonemight desire a greater rate of advance of the secondary clocks than thatcapable of being rendered by the master clock herein disclosed, and insuch case, it would only be necessary to alter the master clock so as torender it capable of sending out a greater number of impulses per unitof time. It is also obvious that a. supplemental motor, clock or likedevice capable of sending out a plurality of fast impulses could haveconnections with the conduits so as to deliver thereto, when desired,any number of fast impulses necessary to make the desired correction.

For stopping the secondaries for a period of time it is only necessarylift valve 19 from its seat until that period of time has elapsed.

In either event, it would not be essential to-alter the normal operationof valve 19 until the exact setting ofthe secondaries is obtained, forthe synchronizing system will function to bring the clocks in timewith'the master clock whether they are fast or slow with respect to'themaster clock. It is only qo necessary that they be brought-within therange of the synchronizing period. -WVhile in the present embodiment Ihave selected a synchronizing period of nearly sixteen minutes, it willbe understood that this 45 period is given merely for purposes ofillustrationand that this period may be greater or lesser, as desired.In clock systems of the present day this period has been found to beample for all purposes.

320 In the present system it will be apparent that the master clocksends out over either one of two conduits normal impulses produced bythe opening and closing of its bellows for a definite period and thenautomatically shuts ofl' one of these conduits and sends out normal andfast impulses during another period of time which corresponds to thesynchronizing period. I

The synchronization of the secondary 3o clocks is dependent upon theutilization of the impulses sent out by the master clock, and theutilization is dependent on the devices contained in the secondary clockand its own chronologic condition. These devices selectively determinewhether the secondary clocks shall receive normal impulses, fastimpulses, or whether they be connected so as not to receive any impulsesfor a time.

While theform of mechanism herein shown 40 and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat itis not intended to confine the invention to the one form ofembodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of em bodiment invarious forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is I. In a synchronizing system, the combination of aplurality of conduits, a master clock having means for controlling thedistribution of fluid pressure over said plurality of conduits, aplurality of secondary clocks connected across said conduits each havinga device for determining which of the plurality of conduits will beconnected with a secondary clock, and means adapted to respond tochanges in fluid pressure for controlling the operation of each of saidsecondary clocks.

2. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a master clock havingmeans for causing a variation in fluid pressure, a plurality of conduitshaving connections with said means, means for closing off one of saidconduits from said first mentioned means, a

plurality of secondary clocks connected across said conduits each havinga device for determining which of the plurality-of conduits will beconnected with a secondary clock, and means adapted to respond tochanges in fluid pressure for'controlling the operation of each ofsaidsecondary clocks;

3. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a plurality ofconduits, a master clock having means for controlling thedistribution offluid displacement over said plurality of conduits, a plurality ofsecondary-clocks having connections with said conduits,- means forcausing a displacementiof fluid in'said conduits, means associatedwithfe'ach-secondary clock subject to being aifectedby' said fluiddisplacement in said conduits, and clock actuatin mechanism controlledbyfsaid last mentioned means. I 4. In a synchronizing'stem,=thecombina-- t on. of a plurality of con uits,-a master clockhaving means for'controlling the distribution of fluid displacementoversaid pluralit of conduits, a plurality of secondary'clocks'" avingconnections with said conduits, means for causing a displacement'offluid inf-said. con duits, means connected to said conduits foractuating each secondary clock, and controlling means for determiningwhich of-said plurality of conduits will be connectedw a secondaryclock. The combination set forth'in claim t-in which the last mentionedcontrolling-means is controlled by the secondary clock. Ii? (3. In asynchronizings stem, the combination of a plurality of con uits, amaster clock having means for controlling the'distribution of fluiddisplacement over-said plurality'of conduits, a plurality of secondary'clocks havjing connections with=said conduits, means for causing adisplacement offlui'd insaid conduits, means associated withea'clr'secondary clock subject to being affected by said fluiddisplacement in'said conduits, means for determining which'of saidconduits will be connected to said last mentioned means, and clockactuating mechanism connected to said means affected by fluiddisplacement.

The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the means for determiningwhich of the conduits will be connected with the secondary clock meanssubject to being affected by fluid displacement is controlled by thechronologic condition of the secondary clock.

8. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a plurality ofconduits, a master clock having means for controlling the distributionof fluid pressure over said plurality of=conduits. a secondary clockhaving connections to each of said conduits, means in said secondaryclock adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure, and means for connectingone of safe 'alurality of conduits with said secondary clock. i p

9. The combination set forth in claim'8 in which said last mentionedmeans is controlled by the secondary clock.

10. In a synchronizing system, the combition of a master clock havingmeans for initiating pressure energy, means for selectively relievingsome of said pressure and forming the remainder into recurring impulses,a plurality of conduit-s, means for controlling the distribution of saidimpulses to said conduits, and a secondary clock connected to saidconduits adapted to receive impulses from said conduits.

11. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a master clock havingmeans for initiating pressure energy, means for selectively relievingsome of said pressure and forming the remainder into recurring 1mpulses,a plurality of conduits, means for controlling the distribution of saidimpulses to said conduits, a secondary clock having connections to eachof said conduits, means operable by said impulses to actuate saidsecondary clock, and means for controlling the connections of saidsecondary clock with said conduits.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 in which said last named meansis controlled by the secondary clock.

13. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a master clock,pneumatic means for creating impulses, a plurality of conduits, means todetermine the distribution of said impulses over said conduits, asecondary clock, pneumatic means for driving said secondary clock, meansintermediate said secondary clock and said conduits to select ivelyconnect one of said conduits to said secondary clock, and means toactuate said last mentioned means at a predetermined time.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 in which said last named meansis controlled by the secondary clock.

15. In a synchronizing system, the combination of a master clock'pneumatic means for creating impulses, two conduits, a valve mechanismfor connecting either one of said conduits with said pneumatic means, asecondary clock, driving means, pneumatic means for actuatin saiddriving means, another valve mechanlsm intermediate said last namedpneumatic means and said conduits, and means for operating said lastnamed valve mechanism to connect either one of said conduits with saidlast named pneumatic means.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 in which said last mentionedmeans is controlled to operate at a predetermined time by said secondaryclock.

17. A master clock for use in a synchronizing system, said clockcomprising in combination, means controlled by said clock for creatingrecurring pressure impulses in fluids, a plurality of conduitscontaining fluid, and means to selectively determine which of thepressure impulses will be trans mitted to said fluid in said conduits.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 in which said last named meansis controlled by said clock. v

19. A master clock for use in a synchronizing system, said clockcomprising in combination, a plurality of conduits containing elasticfluid, means operatedfby. said clock for alternately compressing andrarefying the fluid in said conduits, and means controlled by said clockto prevent said fluid from being compressed and rarefied in one of saidconduits.

F20. A'master clock for use in a synchroniz'ing system, said clockcomprising in combination, va plurality of conduits containing elasticfluid, means operated by said clock for alternately compressing andrarefying the fluid in said conduits, and means controlled by said clockto determine which of said plurality of conduits will be affected bysaid first mentioned means.

' 2 lQA secondary clock for use in a synchronizing system, said clockcomprising in combination, means for actuating the same, pneumatic meansconnected to said means, a plurality of conduits adapted to transmitfluid pressure, and means controlled by said clock for connecting one ofsaid conduits with said pneumatic means.

22. A secondary clock for use in a synchronizing system, said clockcomprising in combination, reciprocatory means for actuating the same,pneumatic means connected to said reciprocatory means, two conduitswhereby pressure impulses are transmitted to said pneumatic means, and avalve means for connecting any one of said conduits with said pneumaticmeans during predetermined periods of time.

23. A pneumatic system for driving a secondary clock, comprising, incombination, a plurality of conduits, a master clock having connectionswith said conduits and means controlling variations in pressure in saidconduits, valves for rendering certain of said variations in pressureineffectual, and a secondary clock having connections with said conduitsenabling the secondary clock to be driven by variations in pressure inboth of said conduits.

24. A pneumatic system for driving a sec ondary clock and formaintaining said secondary clock in synchronism with a master clock,comprising, in combination, a plurality of conduits, a master clockhaving connections With said conduits and means control ling variationsin pressure in said conduits, valves for rendering certain of saidvariations in pressure ineffectual, and a secondary clock havingconnections with said conduits enabling the secondary clock to becontrolled and maintained in synchronism with said master clock byvariations in pressure in both of said conduits.

25. A master clock for use in a synchronizing clock system comprising,in combination, pneumatic bellows repeatedly actuated by the masterclock, a pair of conduits having connection with said pneumatic bellows,and means controlled by the master clock for determining which impulsesof fluid pressure created by said bellows are to be sent over one orboth of said conduits.

26. A synchronizing clock system comprising, in combination, a masterclock means controlled by said master clock for creating recurring fluidpressure impulses, a plurality of conduits adapted to transmit fluidpressure from said means, a secondary clock, said secondary clock havinga driving mechanism therefor connected so as to receive fluid pressureimpulses from saidv means and through each of said conduits, and meansto determine the utilization of said fluid pressure impulses by saidsecondary clock mechanism for controlling the operation of saidsecondary clock.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

JAMES W. BRYCE.

